What are the major differences between reporter genes and selectable markers?

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Accepted Answer

Reporter genes and selectable markers are two types of genes used to analyze transformants in studies that produce transgenic organisms. There are several major differences between these two types of genes.

Basis of differentiation
Reporter genes
Selectable markers

Definition
Are a type of marker gene that is used to ‘tag’ another gene or DNA sequence of interest such as a promoter to quantify the level of expression of the transformed gene 
Are a type of DNA sequence used to distinguish between transformants (transformed genes) and non-transformants (non-transformed genes)

Function
Used to measure the amount of expression of the transformant 
Used to distinguish between transformants and non-transformants

Occurrence
Occurs in between the promoter and the gene of interest
May occur in the plasmid or within the gene construct

Promoter
Is regulated under the promoter of the transformed gene
Has its own promoter

Examples
Green fluorescent protein (GFP), luciferase, octopine synthase
Antibiotic resistance genes, antimetabolite marker genes, and herbicide resistance genes

Basis of differentiation	Reporter genes	Selectable markers
Definition	Are a type of marker gene that is used to ‘tag’ another gene or DNA sequence of interest such as a promoter to quantify the level of expression of the transformed gene	Are a type of DNA sequence used to distinguish between transformants (transformed genes) and non-transformants (non-transformed genes)
Function	Used to measure the amount of expression of the transformant	Used to distinguish between transformants and non-transformants
Occurrence	Occurs in between the promoter and the gene of interest	May occur in the plasmid or within the gene construct
Promoter	Is regulated under the promoter of the transformed gene	Has its own promoter
Examples	Green fluorescent protein (GFP), luciferase, octopine synthase	Antibiotic resistance genes, antimetabolite marker genes, and herbicide resistance genes

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